This Thursday The Donnybrook Dementia Cafe will be talking about Summer Holidays Old & New. Bring some old holiday snaps if you wish and enjoy some chats, tea, cake and music! It all takes place from 7-9pm in the Avila Carmelite Centre off Morehampton road. #dementiasupport #dementiacafe #memorycafe

People living with the condition are fighting against damaging stereotypes and demanding proper medical support. “Alongside my dementia, I lead a fulfilling life and actively contribute to my community. I’m not alone in this; countless others diagnosed with dementia live meaningful and active lives. Some do that for many years after diagnosis. We may need help and support, and we will need to adapt our lives … We have a voice, and we need that voice to be heard” states Julie Hayden who was diagnosed at the age of 54, long after sensing that something was wrong but being constantly told that it was depression or menopause. Read the full article here: buff.ly/4qh2pMs

We have two online dementia training on this week: ✓ Creating Meaningful Activities on a Budget: Online | Thursday 11th June ✓ Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Workshop: Online | Friday 12th June To find out more about all of our courses and to secure your place, click: buff.ly/54rB9xn #dementiacare #dementiaresources #dementiatraining

St. Joseph's completed an innovative research project to evaluate the impact of volunteers at their care home. Kim attended presentation of the research findings which demonstrate the immense societal value in rolling out their volunteer programme nationally. The findings also indicate that structured, well-supported volunteer programmes can produce benefits at individual, organisational, and community levels. These programmes offer a scalable and cost-effective way to enhance person-centred care in dementia settings. Recommendations from the research include: -Investing in volunteer coordination and training in care homes. -Supporting long-term engagement with volunteers. -Preparing staff to work effectively with volunteers. -Leveraging volunteer involvement to promote broader cultural change around dementia. There is a compelling case for developing and piloting similar programmes in other nursing homes in Ireland and beyond. As 2026 is International Volunteer Year, they are calling for greater investment in volunteer programmes by resourcing volunteer coordinator roles within the workforce of nursing homes in Ireland and across the European Union. Read more about it here: buff.ly/gK2a1Mz @st

Your voice is wanted to improve dementia services in Ireland! The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is seeking to understand what life with dementia is like in Ireland today. They invite people living with dementia, family carers and supporters to take part in their national survey. By sharing your experience, you will help build a clearer picture of what is working well – and where change is needed. Your insights will shape future services, advocacy, research and policy in Ireland. Every story is different – and every voice matters. The Experience of Dementia in Ireland 2026 Survey explores: Services and supports, Health and wellbeing, Daily experiences, Cost of living, Community supports and attitudes, Challenges and what’s working well. Take part today and help shape dementia services in Ireland. There are two versions of the survey: one for people with dementia and another for family carers and supporters. Survey link for people with dementia:buff.ly/zSe7F4s Survey link for carers:buff.ly/7eCJkmJ There is also the opportunity for people to be mailed a paper copy with a stamped return envelope or to be supported to complete it on phone if needed by calling the helpline 1-800-341-341. (Each survey takes around 15-20 minutes to complete. You can take breaks and return later if needed.) #dementiasupport

The Laragh Memory Cafe in Glendalough returns on Friday June 12th at 11am and this month they will host an Azure presentation. Visual art can be a great topic for people living with dementia; you don’t need recall to enjoy the moment. The IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art Azure programme is a participatory initiative that supports wellbeing through creative engagement with art. There's free tea & cake; and all are welcome! Laragh Memory café is a welcoming, informal gathering for people living with dementia, their carers and supportive community members to socialise, share experiences, and access reliable information. Laragh Memory Café #dementiacafe #dementiasupport

On Tuesday June 9th, 2 Dementia Cafes will take place in County Louth. The Drogheda Cafe is at 11am in Drogheda Library, Stockwell Lane & the Dundalk Cafe is at 2.30pm in Louth Co Library, Roden Place, Dundalk, Co Louth. Call in for some chats, fun times and tea of course. #DementiaCafe, #DementiaSupportIreland #CarerSupport #drogheda #dundalk #louth

📣Relationships intimacy & emotional connection remain important for people living with dementia. Learn more in this 40-minute eLearning course from the DSiDC. 👉buff.ly/s9S5Z7X

Carers Week runs from June 8th to 14th. The theme of this year is 'Thank you for Caring' and the objective is to recognise and celebrate the important work done by family carers across the country, to show them appreciation and to encourage wider society to recognise and celebrate the family carers in their families and communities. There are some great inclusive online and in person events taking place around the country for all family carers. You can check out all of the events here: buff.ly/VFsCucj #ThankYouForCaring

We have a number of dementia training courses coming up in June & July: ⚫Creating Meaningful Activities on a Budget: Online | Thursday 11th June ⚫Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Workshop: Online | Friday 12th June ⚫Sonas Licence Renewal Day: Online | Friday 3rdJuly To find out more about all of our courses and to secure your place, click: buff.ly/zNthWD0 #dementiacare #dementiaresources #dementiatraining

There are now 6 Certified Sonas Providers in Ireland: ⚫Sligo Nursing Home (Mowlam) ⚫The Orchard Respite Centre (Mowlam) ⚫Rush Nursing Home (Mowlam) ⚫Leopardstown Care Centre (Mowlam) ⚫Charleville Nursing Home (Mowlam) ⚫Swords Nursing Home & Memory Care Centre (Mowlam) The Sonas Programme is an evidence-based therapeutic activity designed to support communication and engagement for people living with dementia. Care settings that complete our Sonas Practitioner Training and demonstrate consistent programme delivery earn recognition as Certified Sonas Providers — a mark of quality, compassion, and best practice in dementia care. This certification assures residents and their families that a nursing home has at least two trained Sonas Practitioners. Certified Nursing Homes will receive a 10% discount on all our courses and on the Annual International Dementia Conference and will receive certification marketing materials to display in their Nursing Home and on their website and will be listed as a Certified Provider on our Website. If you would like more information about certification click here: buff.ly/YUkXesy

Do you have Lewy Body disease or closely support someone living with the condition? The Emerald Lewy Team in Trinity College Dublin are currently seeking volunteers to complete and provide feedback on a peer support programme called The Lewy Lounge. For further information contact Dr. Emma O Shea: Email emma.oshea@ucc.ie or call 0857889499.

St Michael’s Day Care Centre's next Memory Cafe takes place on Tuesday June 2nd, 2026 from 18:30 to 20:30. This free service will provide an opportunity for people living with memory impairment or cognitive issues to share experiences, make connections, and get reliable information from peers and experts. It will provide a one-stop-shop for information on support services while providing a safe environment for social interaction. Experiencing memory lost or cognitive issues can be challenging leading to anxiety and ultimate withdrawal into oneself. It is so important to talk to friends, family and resist the urge to withdraw socially. Post-diagnostic support systems give people hope and a platform to focus on what they can do and shift the focus from any limitations. Such supports help those living with these conditions to take control and subsequently living their best life in the finest possible manner. Meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at St Michael’s Centre their memory cafe will provide a safe supportive peer group for those on this journey and their carers. It is a social platform to exchange experiences and information while receiving advice from relevant specialist and advocates. Day: 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 18:30 to 20:30 Venue: St Michael's Day Care Centre CLG Portnard Road, Cappamore Co. Limerick V94N1FH Contacts: Valerie Clancy, Josephine Ryan Mobile: 085-1649102, 087-1385761 Landline:061-387965

We had a great morning at the Whitehall Colmcille GAA club yesterday while filming a piece about their Making Memories Dementia Cafe. A big thank you to all who took part, the volunteers at the cafe, the club for allowing us to film there, the transition year students, the team from Panoplia Productions and the cafe attendees for being so welcoming. We are one of the Official Charity Partners of the GAA this year, and we are hoping that this short film will encourage even more GAA clubs to open Dementia Cafes in their communities around the country.

Engaging Dementia & HSE's Dementia: Understand Together have created a booklet, Gardening Together, that shows you how to make your community garden a welcoming space for older people and people living with dementia. It has lots of tips and ideas for anyone planning to make a garden or plan outdoor activities – for people with dementia, their family, friends, carers and supporters. Creating a garden can bring meaning and happiness into your life. It can help you make new friends and recall happy memories. We know that connecting with nature benefits body, mind and spirit. Many people look to gardening and other outdoor activities to boost their health and wellbeing. To order a copy of the booklet, click here: buff.ly/C3AeWQR @dementia_office @HSE #UnderstandTogether

There are shared reading sessions in Roscommon Library on the second Wednesday of the month at 11am for an hour. The library group is made up of people living with dementia along with their partners/carers, and it is open to new members. The sessions are very relaxed and socially focused. They typically: -Enjoy a cup of tea, biscuits, and a chat -Read a short piece of prose and discuss it together -Finish with a poem There is no pressure, no preparation, and no homework—just an enjoyable and supportive social experience centred around reading and conversation. What a lovely way to spend an hour!

Music in Good Company is a welcoming summer concert series in Limerick designed specifically for people living with dementia, their caregivers, families, and friends. Hosted at the University Concert Hall (UCH), these free lunchtime events run from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Upcoming Concert LineupThe performances occur on select Wednesdays throughout the early summer: Wednesday, 27th May: Acoustic, folk, and storytelling featuring singer-songwriter David Hope, Colin Kenny, and Darran Bourke. Wednesday, 10th June: An intimate afternoon with iconic Irish folk voices Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley. Wednesday 1st July: An extraordinary trio featuring Nuala Kennedy (traditional song), Maeve Donnelly (fiddle), and Seán Lyons. While tickets are free, booking or registering your attendance is recommended through uch.ie/show/music-in-good-co… or by contacting info@musicandhealthireland.ie If you require wheelchair or accessible seating, please contact the Box Office on 061 331549 / support@uch.ie

Kim Tully, Engaging Dementia CEO, attended Creative Fingal and the Global Brain Health Institute's talk and discussion around brain health this week. Curated by Karen Meenan and Mike Hanrahan GBHI fellows and originally commissioned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the event showcased global and local initiatives in creative arts, dementia, brain health, Parkinson’s, and extended reality (XR), with talks, workshops, and performances aimed at promoting wellbeing through creativity and innovation.

If you attended the 18th International Dementia Conference, please fill out the survey we emailed to you - or just click here: buff.ly/PlFetVO Your insights are incredibly valuable — they help us celebrate what worked well and improve where needed as we plan for next year’s conference. Thank you for being part of this year’s event, and for helping us make the next one even better!